His lawyer Richard Maidment QC revealed the defence team were having trouble getting instructions from Mokbel because of his conditions in prison.

They had written to jail authorities six times but had not received a response, he said.

"He is not able to mix with any prisoners at the moment because of the attack on him and evidence given at the royal commission, which has caused prison authorities to be concerned for his safety," Mr Maidment said.

"It is very difficult for him to recover from injuries he received while being deprived of social contact with anyone else."

Ms Gobbo's role as the informant known as Lawyer X was examined by a royal commission.

Mokbel suffered a brain injury and cognitive impairments in the February 11 attack during a 21st birthday party for another inmate at Barwon Prison.